International Tuberculosis Incidence Rates

The following rates are based upon the World Health Organization's (WHO) most recently available three years (2003, 2004 and 2005) of estimated sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) rates. The three year moving average is used to adjust for unstable rates in some jurisdictions. The estimated sputum smear positive pulmonary TB rates are used, rather than the country/territory reported incidence rates, as they adjust for under-reporting of cases in some jurisdictions and are more indicative of the current risk of being infected by residence or prolonged travel in the country/territory. These rates are effective March 24, 2007 and will be revised annually.

For advice on the use of these rates in TB screening programs, please contact your local public health unit/TB program, provincial/territorial TB program or Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Sources for current calculations: World Health Organization, Global Tuberculosis Control: Surveillance, Planning, Financing. Who Reports 2005, 2006 and 2007. Geneva, Switzerland, (www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/en/)